MovieChat Forums > The Wolf Man (1941) Discussion > Were the sets hot or what?

Were the sets hot or what?

posted 13 years ago by perfectpawn
9 replies | jump to latest

Can't help but notice the actors are sweating throughout this movie, and I don't just mean in the action scenes. In particular Evelyn Ankers, who is sweating right through the pits of her long-sleeved shirt in her first scene, inside the antique shop. I don't know why, but it always makes me uncomfortable seeing people sweat in these old films...I'm like, take off the long shirt and wear shortsleeves! But it was the style of the time. Also, Chaney is sweating hard when he leans in to kiss Evelyn after the carnival...of course, you could chalk it up as his character's nerves, but still.

[–] gbennett5 11 years ago

First off, yes, it was very hot in those films. Lighting was much, much
more sweltering in those days. Plus, there was tons of fog and such.
Also, the actors were shooting these films in two to three weeks, with
many, many long takes. The pressure was on to move from one shot to the
next. And give Ankers a break. She detested working with Chaney (and
despite what Chaney diehards say, HE was reportedly terrible to her -
drunk, smelly and insanely jealous). I'm sure she wasn't comfortable.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] ANDREWEHUNT 10 years ago

I didn't know Chaney was jealous? Of her in particular? Did he have a thing for her? Or other actors in general?

I'm a fan of his, but I have heard that he wasn't always the easiest actor with whom to work.

[–] bradford-1 9 years ago

Apparently, Chaney had a fistfight once with Ankers' husband, the actor Richard Denning. Denning was leaving for the armed forces, there was a goodbye party for him on a Universal set, Cheney attended and got drunk, harsh words were exchanged and pow! I don't think there was ever any romantic stuff between Chaney & Ankers; they just happened to detest each other, but were tossed together in 8 or 9 films.

May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?

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[–] reaseltbim 9 years ago

the wizard of oz was notorious for their extremely hot sets
i remember reading how the actors suffered a lot being in those costumes and in really high temperatures

sso yeah, those lights back then were like tanning lights....

[–] 9 years ago

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